Aroma

Essential oils tip of the month!

Using aromatherapy/essential oils to combat getting the flu or a cold!
When it is cold outside, we tend to stay indoors more with our windows and doors shut. This can increase our chances of getting sick. It is nice to know that along with all of the over-the-counter medications available today, we also have some natural ways of preventing getting sick and alleviating our symptoms.
(NOTE: Aromatherapy is not a substitue for seeking medical attention when needed)

✿Diffusion
These oils/blends (fusion oils) may contain essential oils that have an anti-viral or anti-bacterial benefit. By putting these into the air on a regular basis, you can eliminate your of the microbes that can make you sick. This can be done in a few different ways: with an electric or candle diffuser, steamer pot etc. If you do get sick, there are certain essential oils can be used as an expectorants and a decongestants. By creating a steam/vapor tent (towel over your head while leaning over a bowl of hot water with some essential oil dopped in) or taking a hot shower (with some esssential oils 'dropped' the floor of your bath)...AMAZING!

✿Room Sprays
These room sprays (aroma spritzers) can be used on the body, in the air, on the go (travel/office). Those that contain essential oils that are anti-viral and anti-bacterial can help to kill germs. They can also be made with essentials oils that have the expectorant/degongestant benefit as well. SURROUND YOURSELF!

✿Chest Rubs
When you do get sick, you can put those essential oils with a decongestant benefit into a salve or balm (body balms), you can rub it onto your chest. BREATHE EASY!

Surround Yourself!

Aromatherapy for the Mind, Body & Spirt

Aromatherapy is an exploration of creativity as well as technical knowledge. Creative expression comes from knowing the characteristics of oils and envisioning new combinations of scents. The scientific aspect of aromatherapy comes from knowing the subtle differences in essential oils that are attributable to thousands of aroma chemicals, and how these chemical constituents affect the human body. The aromatic properties of pure, natural essential oils are a catalyst for change in the human mind and body.

✿The Mind
Essential oil aromas stimulate the part of the brain that affects emotion. The shape of an essential oil molecule is like a key that opens lock-like structure in the olfactory nerve receptors in our nostrils. The impression of the aroma is sent directly and immediately to the limbic system where memories are stored and pleasure and emotions are perceived. When stimulated, the limbic system releases chemicals that affect the central nervous system. Serotonin counteracts anxiety; endorphins reduce pain and affect sexual response. Inhaling essential oils can help us attain a pleasurable emotional balance. A balanced emotional state in turn can have a therapeutic effect on physical problems, particularly those that are stress-related. Enhance your mental and physical well-being with essential oils using direct inhalation or diffusion. Direct inhalation is great when immediate relief is needed. For instance, to relieve stress, drip 2-5 drops of chamomile onto a handkerchief, hold it under your nose and breathe deeply. Because of their volatile nature, essential oils will readily diffuse into the air. An aromatherapy lamp a ceramic vessel equipped with a small basin to hold a mixture of water and essential oil is a good way to diffuse scent. The basin is warmed from underneath by a candle or light bulb. Diffusing relaxing oils like chamomile, rose or sandalwood can help patient's anxieties in a doctor's waiting room. Or, to counteract after-lunch sleepiness diffuse energizing uplifting oils like peppermint, lemon or basil in the office.

✿The Body
Essential oils are quickly absorbed through the skin, traveling around individual cells and into hair follicles, where the oils enter the sebaceous glands and mingle with the skin's natural emollients. The chemical properties of the oils can be cleansing, deodorizing, toning, or balancing. Essential oils add an aesthetic dimension to the healing effects of massage therapy, compresses, facial steams and body and foot baths. Because they're so concentrated, essential oils must be diluted so they compose 2%-3% of the blend either in a carrier vegetable oil, such as sweet almond and jojoba, bath water or body care product. Add a few drops of grapefruit to a warm bath and agitate the water, then soak away a stressful day. Certain oils are especially suited to benefit the skin. The largest organ of the body, the skin, reflects our inner state of well being while protecting us from a daily barrage of pollutants. Lavender oil, the supreme skin oil, is cleansing, deodorizing, toning and balancing. It is also relatively safe in higher dilutions up to 20%. It combats oily skin while soothing and replenishing dry skin.

✿The Spirit
A diffused aroma creates a mysterious presence in a room, and then wafts away like a wish or prayer. The essential oils can be thought of as the quintessential spirit of plants, captured in a jar. Essential oils have positive effects on every level of being. Their unique properties enhance the mind, body and spirit. Aromatherapy is the creative and scientific application of essential oils to create beneficial changes in our lives on aesthetic, therapeutic and mystical levels.

Essential Oils vs. Fragrance Oils

Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic extracts distilled from a variety of plant material including grasses, flowers, leaves, needles & twigs, peel of fruit, roots, resins or bark. Essential oils have the ability to improve memory and alter our mood, heart rate, body temperature and to ease pain and symptoms of illness. Fragrance oils are made synthetically and mimic aromas found in nature and elsewhere. Although they are appealing to the 'nose', they are unable to produce the same effects on a psychological or physical level.

Because some aromas exist that are appealing, but cannot be duplicated with essential oils or have an environmental impact to use them, we offer several scented candles and diffuser oils made with fragrance oils. Candles scented with fragrance oils will not burn as clean as those made with essential oils will. With these, we use only 'true to the scent' high quality fragrance oils.

Our skin in the largest organ we have. That apparently smooth wrapper is honeycombed with tiny blood vessels, nerve endings, and miniature passageways to the outside world; it is a living, breathing world in itself. Because what we put on our body goes into our body, the use of petro- chemically derived, scented and dyed perfumes and body care products are not the best to use.

Although there are environmental impacts to the use of both, it should be your choice as to what makes 'scents' to you!